AND HIS PLANT SCCOE 101 



vegetables are often thus tested at the Burbank home; 

 sometimes each potato on the dinner table will be of a 

 different kind, or corn or peas of a certain variety are 

 served one day and another kind the following day that 

 accurate comparison may be made. Every hour of the 

 master's is made to count in the service of humanity; 

 even guests as well as members of the family often have a 

 part in deciding what fruit or vegetable shall be given to 

 the world. 



This test at regular meals is much pleasanter than the 

 testing of fruit on vines or trees. Perhaps you think it 

 would be great fun to accompany the master as with a 

 helper he goes rapidly along a row of vines laden with 

 luscious ripe berries, taking a berry from each plant and 

 noting its flavor and quality. But you would soon become 

 very tired of tasting and would wish you had brought a 

 cracker or a few nuts in your pocket. Very few persons 

 can stand this tasting of fruit for more than a few min- 

 utes at a time. Burbank, who is as keen in appreciation 

 of flavors as in his observation of forms and colors, tastes 

 rapidly, and will continue the process for a considerable 

 time. The process of testing fruits in the field is quite 

 different, as you can see, from eating it at your leisure and 

 for your pleasure. 



Although the Crimson Winter Rhubarb was so superior 

 in beauty and quality, a plant of greater size was desired, 

 and selection was continued for several years, until the 



